graduation denied due to ATI Comprehensive Exam

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I just took the ATI Comprehensive Test-PN and I received an 83% of probability of passing the NCLEX. My student handbook states that students need to achieve an 80% or higher in order to complete the VN Program. The problem is the director of my school verbally stated we need a 90% or higher if not we are not getting diploma and that we need to retest. If the second time we don't reach the 90% thats the end for us and we do not graduate. My question is...Is this legal? Can they do that even if the handbook says one thing? Please Help

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, ER.

yikes, if i were in your situation id keep a copy of that handbook. unless its officially been updated with new changes then i don't see them enforcing it, otherwise they can go around stating anything is they say is mandated.

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Specializes in Medical Oncology, ER.

but i also dont know your schools policy, maybe the fine print in your handbook states they can change at any time

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It is unfortunately legal but ONLY if it is in the handbook.

I don't agree with the practice. Mainly because ATI has not been statistically proven to be a predictor. One of the nursing programs local to me dropped ATI for their incoming class because their NCLEX pass rates actually DROPPED after they started using it.

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but i also dont know your schools policy, maybe the fine print in your handbook states they can change at any time

No, it cannot "change at any time".

Most people do not realize that the school handbook is a legal contract. It spells out the courses you will take and what the requirements for graduation are. The contract that you fall under is aligned with your start date.

For example, you started in Fall of 2014 and in Fall of 2015, the school added a comprehensive exam as a requirement for graduation? Guess what? Because you started in the Fall of 2014, it doesn't apply to you.

Any changes to that AFTER your start date is a violation of the contract. Students that have successfully sued for their diplomas/degrees after graduation due to a failed comprehensive exam, almost all of them have won on the fact that it was added after they started the program.

Schools don't get to do anything that they want.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Your question about legality is not a nursing question: it is a legal question. I suggest you talk with an attorney or some other legal expert. Is your nursing program part of a larger school that would have someone outside the nursing school that could give a qualified opinion on this?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

If the school says you don't pass without a certain ATI score, this may just mean that they won't pay for your NCLEX. With your transcripts in hand you should be able to bring them to the Board of Nursing, pay for your test once the board approves your transcripts and get your license.

I knew of a few students in my school who had to do this because, while they didn't meet the schools criteria for graduating, they did meet the boards reqmts.

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What?! I don't know the legalities, BUT as someone posted earlier seek an attorney. What ever you do..........SAVE THAT STUDENT HANDBOOK BECAUSE THAT IS IN WRITING! I'm sorry you are going through this and I know it is stressful but you really need some type of expert legally.

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If the school says you don't pass without a certain ATI score, this may just mean that they won't pay for your NCLEX. With your transcripts in hand you should be able to bring them to the Board of Nursing, pay for your test once the board approves your transcripts and get your license.

I knew of a few students in my school who had to do this because, while they didn't meet the schools criteria for graduating, they did meet the boards reqmts.

Unfortunately, this is not at all accurate. If your transcripts do not show "degree conferred" the name of the degree, and the date?

Guess what? You didn't graduate.

Boards of nursing require "graduation" from an accredited nursing program. Taking all the courses does not mean you graduated because each school can have different requirements.

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Specializes in CVICU CCRN.

My school used ATI and I took the comprehensive predictor. I received a 98% probability of passing. All the report shows is your strong and weak areas and where you rank in relation to your class and other programs. It does not include questions and answers or rationales. In fact, it speaks in generalities and does not provide answers to specific questions.

I was successful by using the included ATI books and studying the online modules in the areas where I was weakest. I always read rationales. ATI questions have a very predictable way about them, and if you do the practice tests and put in the time, hopefully it will lead you to success as well. Good luck.

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